Western Sahara: UN ‘stands ready’ to keep supporting peace efforts as MINURSO mission ends

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1. 1h ago

   UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara Ends After 35 Years

   The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) began winding down on Sunday after its mandate expired at midnight Saturday. The mission ended because the UN Security Council failed to renew it, following rival vetoes from the United States and Russia. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated the UN remains committed to a political solution providing for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. Guterres warned of potential renewed fighting and urged all parties to exercise restraint as the 35-year deployment concludes.

   Why it matters

   Established in 1991, MINURSO monitored a ceasefire and supported settlements between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front. Morocco currently controls most of the territory, while the Polisario Front seeks an independent state. The dispute centers on sovereignty and the right to self-determination.

   What is confirmed

   • The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) ended after 35 years.
   • The mission mandate expired at midnight on Saturday.
   • The UN Security Council failed to renew the mission mandate due to rival US and Russia resolutions.
   • MINURSO was established in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire and support a settlement between Morocco and the Polisario Front.
   • Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the departure of MINURSO does not abrogate the people's inalienable right to self-determination.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Morocco is celebrating the defeat of the UN resolution.
   • The US proposal sought to place Morocco's autonomy plan at the center of resolution efforts.
   • Russia rejected the US proposal on the grounds that it favored Morocco's position.

   What to watch next

   • Reports of renewed fighting between Morocco and the Polisario Front.
   • Further UN diplomatic efforts to establish a political solution for self-determination.
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. news.un.org — UN News | Global perspective Human stories
   2. AP News — Rival US and Russia resolutions on disputed Western Sahara are defeated in UN Security Council
   3. United States Mission to the United Nations (.gov) — Statement on a U.S.-Drafted UN Security Council Resolution on the Western Sahara Vetoed by the Russian Federation
   4. Al Jazeera — Why is Morocco celebrating the defeat of a UN resolution on Western Sahara?
   5. UN News — Western Sahara: UN ‘stands ready’ to keep supporting peace efforts as MINURSO mission ends
   6. Reuters — UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years, UN chief says
   7. NPR — UN's peacekeeping mission in disputed Western Sahara ends after 35 years
   8. Reuters — As peacekeepers leave Western Sahara, refugees yearn to end a half-century wait
   9. peacekeeping.un.org — Western Sahara: UN ‘stands ready’ to keep supporting peace efforts as MINURSO mission ends
   10. www.aljazeera.com — UN warns of security risks in Western Sahara as peacekeeping ...
   11. www.france24.com — UN’s peacekeeping mission in disputed Western Sahara ends ...
   12. news.un.org — Western Sahara: UN ‘stands ready’ to keep supporting peace ...
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